“Advancing Educational Achievement”Bringing K-12, Industry, and Higher Education

Together for Student Success

M T. S A N J AC I N TO C O L L E G E

AP/ IB Alternative & CareerTechnical Education Pathways

Mt. San Jacinto College, 2011The United States once led the industrialized world in the percentage of adults who earned college degrees. In recent years, however, there has been a decline in our attainment of higher education compared with other industrialized nations. California’s residents are less educated than those in other states, and students who do enter college are finding themselves unprepared for the demands of both college-level coursework and the labor market. To recapture the lead among industrialized nations, higher education must partner with secondary education and California industry to ensure equal access to success for all students. In response to this, President Obama has proposed the “American Graduation Initiative,” which calls for community collegesto significantly increase the number of degrees awarded by 2020.

A Call to ActionThe Community College League of California has addressed President Obama’s call to action with three mandates to California community colleges:

• Increase certificate and associate degree completions by1 million by 2020

• Eliminate the achievement gap among demographic and socioeconomic groups

• Close the participation gap among demographic and socioeconomic groups

Mt. San Jacinto College has answered this call to action with the development of a mechanism designed to address the goals set forth by the Community College League of California. Over the last two years, through a uniquely designed Dual Enrollment program, MSJC has developed and

implemented a model that improves student success, equity and access. The Dual Enrollment program provides students with an opportunity to complete CSU and UC transferable units and career/technical coursework prior to transitioning from high school to a post-secondary institution. Dual Enrollment is an innovative strategy that can successfully address thefollowing mandates:

Increase certificate and associate degree completions by 1 million by 2020:Dual Enrollment increases college-going rates of high school students and fosters an early understanding of what is needed to succeed in the college environment. The program shortens time to degree completion and reduces economic investment in college.

Eliminate the achievement gap among demographic and socioeconomic groups:Dual Enrollment provides an opportunity for secondaryand post-secondary institutions to communicate and ensure university transfer and workforce readiness.The unique Dual Enrollment model significantly closes the achievement gap by increasing the pool of historically under- represented students who are ready for college-level work.

Close the participation gap among demographic and socioeconomic groups:Dual Enrollment makes college accessible to all and gives students who may not have considered themselves college- bound a chance for exposure to and success in college coursework.

Today’s economic realities illustrate the necessity of a college education for students to successfully compete in a globalized economy. Dual Enrollment will enhance the future successof California’s students, while providing an array of benefits tofamilies, high schools, colleges, employers, and communities.

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transition from high school to college, which promotes student retention and achievement. Rigorous data collection and assessment ensure the program is running at maximum effectiveness.

Dual Enrollment Objectives:

Attend High School + Receive College Credit

Research Indicates…Research conducted by American College Testing indicates that college persistence and degree attainment are strongly correlated with pre-college course selection, prior academic achievement, and readiness for the rigors of college level coursework. Students who complete a Dual Enrollment pathway experience success at the college level, understand the expectations of post-secondary education, and are more likely to envision themselves as college bound.

To expand college preparation in high school students, Dual Enrollment promotes ongoing communication between high school and college faculty. Regular dialogue ensures that high schools provide a rigorous level of coursework that adequately prepares students for college. Dual Enrollment eases the

• Develop a model that is highly coordinated and is the mechanism for planning and implementation for academ- ic, vocational, and industry needs: Dual Enrollment brings together K-12, postsecondary education and the workforce needs of the 21st century under a synchronized blueprint for success while minimizing institutional “silos.”

• Reduce the length of time it takes for student to obtain their educational and/or career goals: Student can complete multiple academic and vocational courses to include English and two or more semesters of college-level math resulting in reducing time to degree completion.

• Address the enrollment impaction currently facing higher education: Dual Enrollment creates early access to CCC, CSU, and UC first year coursework that is currently impacted.

• Close the communication gap between secondary and post-secondary education: Dual Enrollment ensures curricu- lum alignment by promoting ongoing dialogue between high schools and colleges.

• Close the educational gap between secondary and post-secondary education: Students who postpone college enrollment after high school are less likely to complete a college degree.

A Blueprint for SuccessThe California educational system spends millions of dollars re-educating students unnecessarily. Mt. San Jacinto College’s innovative Dual Enrollment Program providesa cost-neutral solution to post-secondary impaction. The program is a critical strategy for increasing college-going rates among local high school students through coordinatedpartnerships between local high school districts and Mt. SanJacinto College. Working in the same direction as a team, the goal is to successfully address academic, vocational, and industry needs. Registration in dual enrollment courses is open to both high school and community college students, which allows college and high school districts to claim student

Last year, I was enrolled in an AP English 11 class. This year, I enrolled in the dual enrollment English 101 and 103 courses. I learned a lot of new things in each class, but I feel as though the dual enrollment classes helped refine my writing and critical thinking skills much more. When filling out my course selections for my senior year, I decided on dual enrollment instead of AP Literature for many reasons, and I feel as though I definitely made the right choice. I chose dual enrollment over AP because I wanted to get a college class experience, which I definitely got work-wise. I also think I made the right choice fiscally by taking the classes. Next year in college, I do not have to take Freshman English, which will save both time and money. I wish VMHS would have offered these classes sooner.

— Senior at Vista Murrieta High School

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“When I first heard about dual enrollment classes, I thought they would be an excellent opportunity to experience what college is like and to get some free college credit. Now that I have taken English 101 and am in 103, I was right. Dual enrollment English is an excellent way to gain free college credit and experience what a real college class is like. The English101/103 curriculum is real college curriculum and, just like a college class, assignments and essays are done independently. We are introduced to assignments and essays, and then we are left on our own to do them. It is our own responsibility to ask questions and to get help, whichis what college is all about.” — Senior at Vista Murrieta High School

apportionment. College level standards are maintainedby requiring that high school Dual Enrollment instructors meet California Community College Faculty Minimum Qualifications, as they work within their regular high school district contract. A Dual Enrollment Coordinator ensures seamless service delivery and communication.

The mechanisms that make the program successful are:• A student-centered philosophy• Board of Trustees, administrative and faculty support• Dual Enrollment Department and Coordinator• Planning Teams in each high school district• Elevated communication• Clearly identified student outcomes• Parental support• Cost-neutral approach• Industry Summits and current labor market trends• Student Services and Instructional integration• College faculty mentoring• Research and data collection, analysis, and

recommendations• A system that reduces institutional “silos”

Dual Enrollment Pathways: An Option for EveryoneParticipating students may select the AP Alternative Academic Transfer Pathway or the Career/Technical Education Pathway. Each track is developed with clear objectives that will ultimately move all students closer totheir educational goals, while preparing them for the demands of college and the labor market. Both pathways employ a student-centered success model that merges student services and instructional support to ensure academic performanceand college readiness.

AP/IB AlternativeThe AP/IB Alternative Track focuses on high-performing high school students who are primarily interested in transferring to four-year colleges and universities.

The AP/IB Alternative Program isn’t a program intended to replace the current AP/IB Program but rather is an additional option for students. According to State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O’Connell, only 20.8% of California students in the class of 2009 who took an AP exam during high school earned a passing score of 3 or higher. At its current state, the AP/IB Alternative Dual Enrollment Program boasts an 85-90% credit rate, surpassing the AP credit rate by 60-70%. Another noteworthy fact is that with this successful credit rate, the achievement gap has been nearly eradicated.

The Dual Enrollment Program has been successfully imple- mented with highly structured planning teams in each high school district. As an alternative to the traditional Advanced Placement program, Dual Enrollment will:• Increase college readiness and access• Familiarize students with the academic rigors of college• Improve student motivation through high expectations• Provide greater academic challenges• Encourage students to visualize themselves as college

material

Career and Technical Education: Workforce ReadyThe CTE pathway is an avenue for developing a skilled workforce with the knowledge and capabilities needed to succeed in a global economy. The nation’s fastest growing jobs will need some form of postsecondary education; CTE is necessary for students to meet the emerging needs of the job market. The Dual Enrollment program offers options for all students, not just the underprepared or the advancedstudents. This program provides options for what is called the

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Dual Enrollment Pathways: An Option for Everyone

Life is full of choices, and the ones we make in high school are critical to the rest of our lives. My junior year of high school I took three AP courses in an attempt to challenge myself and earn college credits. Through high school I have taken six AP classes, passing only one and still waiting on two others, for although I may be informed on all the material, I am a terrible test taker. When the dual enrollment classes became available to us this year, I was presented the perfect opportunity to challenge myself, expose myself to a greater college atmosphere, and earn college credits without the pressures of an end of year exam. After taking both AP classes and dual enrollment classes, I find that AP classes are a bit overrated. As students, we are encouraged to take AP exams, yet it all comes down to a single test; but what about all the things we accomplished throughout the year? Taking the dual enrollment classes was the best choice I could have made senior year.

— Senior at Vista Murrieta High School

“neglected majority,” which comprises approximately 50% of the student population.

Students who choose the CTE Dual Enrollment Pathway will do so within an organized model for success that brings together secondary education, industry, and higher education. High schools and community colleges work together to ensure curriculum alignment, job skills development, outreach, and internship opportunities, while industry identifies job skills and employment trends.

Dynamic planning teams communicate regularly to guarantee service delivery, provide clear student objectives, and affirma message of excellence. This enhanced communication and collaboration will help students understand what they need to know and what they need to be able to do to achieve their academic and career ambitions. The CTE Dual Enrollment path shortens the time to obtain a degree, reduces college expense, and ensures college and workforce readiness. The goal is to develop a program that will show similar successes of credit rates comparable to the AP/IB Alternative Program.

Integrated Student SupportDual Enrollment provides an integrated framework of student services and instructional support designed to raise student achievement and ease the transition from high school to college:

• Parent Orientations

• Academic, career, and personal counseling

• Student Early Alert System

• Access to college resources and privileges

> College counseling and educational planning> Career/Transfer Center resources

> Access to university representatives

The Dual Enrollment model provides for communication pathways between high school and college student support systems, ensuring continuity in service delivery. A system of integrated service and instructional support will:• Improve retention, persistence, and academic success• Increase graduation rates• Improve transfer readiness rates• Improve degree/certificate completion rates• Reduce the need for remedial coursework at the

post-secondary level• Increase the number of students who are workforce ready

Everyone WinsDual Enrollment brings a wealth of benefits to students,their families, high schools, local communities, and the State of California. By working together, we can build a program that saves time and money, builds a bridge between high school and college, increases student success, and augments California’s ability to compete in the global marketplace.

Benefits to Students and Families:• Eases transition between high school and college• Raises motivation to pursue a college degree• Access to college resources• Understanding of the rigors of college work

> Access to the Learning Resource Center and tutoring

• Opportunities to explore different fields (academic and CTE)

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I took dual enrollment English because I wanted to earn credit for both high school and college. I wanted to take the opportunity because I also wanted to do better in writing. I also thought dual enrollment would be better than AP English because I wouldn’t have to worry about the AP exam in May. When I first came in the dual enrollment class, I didn’t know what to expect. The class was a challenge for me. However, by the end of English 101, I developed better writing skills. English 101 also gave me a “feel” for college. I learned how to adapt to the rigor of a college class. Another advantage about dual enrollment is that I do not have to take English GE courses in college. I would recommend dual enrollment over AP.

— Senior at Vista Murrieta High School

• Eliminates duplication of coursework during freshman year

• Saves thousands of dollars in college costs• Shorter time to transfer and/or workforce ready

Benefits to High Schools:• Enhances scope of the high school curriculum• Increases access to college resources and facilities• Improved relationships between high schools and colleges• Enhanced alignment of high school curricula with college

admission requirements• Elevates the high school status and reputation

Benefits to Community and Local Economy:• Avoids unnecessary duplication of facilities and

equipment• Tuition dollars that are saved by families are spent

in the community• Increased consumerism & tax revenues• Increase in educated workforce/decreased unemployment• Students complete a requirement with one (college)

course rather than two (high school and college) courses and produce a cost savings for the taxpayer.

Benefits to State:• Saves millions of dollars by minimizing the need to

re-educate students• Addresses impaction issues at CCC/CSU/UC

Benefits to Colleges:• Modern day outreach• Enrollment of better prepared students• Reduced need for remedial coursework• Shortens time to degree completion, which assists

impaction issues• Stronger ties to surrounding community• Minimizes the redundancies of college costs

• Reduced state and federal spending /fewer financial aid dollars due to shorter time to degree completion

• Taxpayers receive return on investment as more young people enter the labor market, contribute to the state’s economy, and pay taxes; increased levels of workforce productivity

• Creates chain of communication/feedback between K-12 and community college

• Enhances national and global competitiveness

The dual enrollment English courses have given me opportunities of self-discovery and personal growth that would not have been avail- able to me in a normal high school curriculum. While my reasons for taking the dual enrollment classes may have first been out of economic practicality, the classes have proven to be so much more beneficial than saving me money (no obscenely expensive AP tests) and time in college(already fulfilling freshman required courses).” — Senior at Vista Murrieta High School

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Dual enrollment courses were a major factor in helping me get into college. I had a choiceb e t w e e n the AP courses a n d the dual e nroll m e nt progra m . Compa re d to AP, dual e nroll- m e nt ca rr i es more w e i ght to i t. It looks more i mpressi v e on tra n scr ipts , a n d i t h a s more impact on a student’s GPA. I would recommend dual enrollment rather than AP because dualenrollment allows a student to have a more impressive transcript as well as earning college credits without the hassle of the AP exam. Both English 101 and 103 were good experiences. English 101 helped me improve my writing skills, and 103 helped to improve my critical thinking skills. I also feel like I am more prepared to handle challenging college courses. I think that my decision to choose dual enrollment of AP was beneficial to my academic career

— Senior at Vista Murrieta High School

The Time is NowThe Dual Enrollment plan is a proven educational model with numerous benefits to students, families, districts, communi- ties, and California. At a time when 4-year colleges are facing impaction issues, Dual Enrollment can ease the burden by providing an opportunity for university bound students to complete general education requirements prior to their first semester. Dual Enrollment also addresses college readiness issues as students begin their post-secondary education without needing math and English remediation. Career and technical education needs are informed by current industry and support a graduating population that is workforce ready. By working together we can provide today’s students with the opportunity to get a head start on their college careers, save time and money, and offer exposure to the rigors of college

coursework. And students aren’t the only ones who save — the state and the community benefit by reduced financial aid spending, decreased unemployment, and increased consum- erism. Global competitiveness is improved in that students participating in the Dual Enrollment program are more likely to attend college and have the skills necessary to support industry demands. The AP Alternative Academic Transfer Pathway and the Career Technical Education Pathway are carefully articulated ladders leading to early success in college and setting the stage for degree completion and professional and vocational advancement. The Dual Enrollment blueprint is a tested model that will bridge existing gaps between secondary and higher education, while meeting the emerging career and workforce needs of the 21st century.

ReferencesBarnett, Elisabeth and Stamm, Liesa (2010). Dual Enrollment: A Strategy for Educational Advancement of all Students. Washington D.C.: Teachers College, Columbia University.

California Department of Education News Release (February 10, 2010). Release # 10-18: Schools Chief Jack O’ConnellIssues Statement on College Board’s Sixth Annual AP® Exam Report to the Nation.

The Center for Student Success (2009). Effective Practices for Promoting the Transition of High School Students to College:A Review of the Literature for California Community College Practitioners. Academic Senate for California Community Colleges.

Community College League of California (2010). 2020 Vision: A Report of the Commission on the Future. Sacramento: Community College League of California.

Written by Tom Spillman, Heather Tibbetts and Shartelle Fears

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